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Top 6 Popular Bird Sanctuaries To Visit In India 2023

Top 6 Popular Bird Sanctuaries To Visit In India 2023

The Indian subcontinent is enveloped with some incredible bird sanctuaries. They are filled with lush and splendid biodiversity.

The vibrant nature, along with the exotic bird fauna, is mind-boggling and magical to look at.

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They are also popular spots for tourists and bird watchers.

In this article, you will get to know about the following bird sanctuaries in India,

  1. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
  2. Bakhira Bird Sanctuary
  3. Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary
  4. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
  5. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
  6. Thattekad Bird Sanctuary

Let’s see each of these in detail.

1. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is a mangrove habitat and sanctuary that covers an area of 440 acres and are located on the western tip of Chorao Island. The name of this bird sanctuary comes from an incredible ornithologist Salim Ali.

The space is filled with numerous Aves species, including western reef heron and striated heron. Black Bittern, Pied Avocet, Jack Spine, and Little Bittern are some of them.

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The sanctuary also has a paved walk amidst the mangrove for easy access through the wild and to reach the bird-watching towers for some of the charming views.

Apart from the birds, you will also come across fiddler crabs, mudskippers, marsh crocodiles, and foxes. You will be able to reach the sanctuary with the help of a ferry.

2. Bakhira Bird Sanctuary

Established in the year 1980, Bakhira bird sanctuary happens to be the largest natural floodplain wetland present in the Indian subcontinent. It is situated in the Saint Kabir Nagar district in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh.

The vast water body in this sanctuary stretches for about 29 sq. kilometers and is a spot for migratory waterfowl. It also serves as a breading place for the resident birds.

During the winter, you will find Siberian migratory birds in these wetlands. Several other species of birds immigrate from different corners of the earth to be at this place.

Apart from all the unique species of Aves, 30 distinct species of fish are also seen in the water body of the Bakhira bird sanctuary.

3. Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary

Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary

The Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary covers an area of 759 sq. kilometers and attracts numerous migratory birds for feeding and breeding. It is situated in the district of Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.

This lake is also the second-largest freshwater ecosystem in India. It is the habitat of the greater flamingos. The rich biodiversity also consists of Pelicans and Storks.

Watching the beautiful birds and their activities in raw nature feels heavenly.

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Eighty-eight species of Aves were recorded from this sanctuary by Birdlife international. You might also enjoy the Flamingo festival during December and January and boating.

While in the lake, on a flat bottom boat, explore the different water birds and the stunning landscape. Capture their movement along with a picture-perfect backdrop.

4. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Keoladeo Ghana National Park, as it is known in recent days, is amongst the most famous bird sanctuaries in the country. It is located in Bharatpur, Rajasthan.

The place is home to more than 300 exotic bird species, including stints, warblers, Siberian cranes, larks, etc. Not only the Aves fauna, but there are also 25 species of reptiles, 50 pieces species, 07 species of amphibians, more than 370 flora species, and several other invertebrates.

The sanctuary is a paradise for bird watchers and is a magnificent region to explore nature. It had also served as a hunting ground for birds, once upon a time when the kings used to rule the state of Rajasthan.

Bird safaris are done in the national park to experience the surreal wildness of nature. You can look at the rarest birds in action here.

The place is a gem for the country and a delight for nature lovers. It is declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.

5. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary

The sanctuary is situated on 74 acres of land in the Chengalpattu district of Tamil Nadu. In the country, it is the oldest water Aves sanctuary, and the name Vedathangal means “Hamlet of the hunter.”

The region attracts over 40,000 birds from numerous parts of the globe, including 26 rare species. Some birds lurking around this place include grebes, little egrets, painted storks, moorhens, pintails, etc.

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The lush biodiversity of the land is fantastic. The region is also home to different other fauna and flora.

During the winter months, when you visit the sanctuary, you will find the birds busy in their breeding areas with their nests, building and taking care of them.

The lovely scenes of nature can be witnessed along with the birds from the watch tower or the bank. The perfect time to visit is from October to January.

6. Thattekad Bird Sanctuary

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary

The sanctuary is a moist lowland and deciduous forest that covers an area of 25 sq. kilometers. It is located 12 kilometers from Kothamangalam and surrounds the Periyar river.

It is considered by ornithologists to be the ‘Richest Aves Habitat’ (280 species) in the whole of peninsular India.

The sanctuary is brimming with numerous bird species, some of which are Jerdon’s nightjar, Cormorants, Ceylon frogmouth, Grey fronted green pigeon, Indian pitta, and a lot more.

Apart from birds, there are 30 species of reptiles, 34 species of mammals, 15 species of amphibians, and 47 fish species.

The Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is heaven for bird watchers and nature admirers. Winter months are the best time to visit the place and enjoy the charm the biodiversity has to offer.

So Want to look into the wild closely? The above places are the perfect destinations to look at the magnificent aura of the atmosphere.

Plan a visit to these places, especially during the winter, to get a glimpse of the rare species of migratory birds.


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